# 10
“Shivlin-!”
"…mama."
Shevlin's eyes filled with tears as she held the black fork.
“Mama, my tongue hurts.”
“…”
Shevlin stuck out her painful tongue, waving it with her hand.
"Are you well?"
"Yes!"
“Didn't you eat these strawberries?”
Helen pointed to the strawberries with trembling fingers.
“I saved it to eat later.”
“Thank God...”
A feeling of relief washed over Helen and her tense body relaxed.
"mama?"
Shevlin's round, innocent face wrinkled charmingly.
“The poison must have been applied only to the strawberries on the cake.”
Helen quickly took the cake plate and put it away.
"Mama! My cake!"
Shevlin jumped from the chair, extending her short arms.
Helen sighed as Shevlin, who was frowning, took one last deep breath.
“Mom, are you trying to tell Shevlin not to eat two cookies?”
“Because you need to eat dinner later.”
“That's true, but...”
Helen hid the black thorn in her sleeve while Shivalin was distracted.
It was clear that the baptismal name “Esther” was what sparked all this.
Someone tried to poison Shivalin.
‘Was it the chef who made the cake, the maid who brought it, or someone who changed it midway?’
She couldn't have known.
Helen bit her nails anxiously, her mind boiling with thoughts.
“Mom, don't bite your nails.”
“Can I… protect you?”
Helen murmured, caressing Shevelin's cheek.
"What did you say?"
"nothing."
The thought of what might have happened if she had been a little late was absolutely terrifying.
“Her Highness.”
A soft voice called from outside the door.
When she came out, Countess Qin was humbly waiting for her.
“Countess Kane?”
“Her Highness the Crown Princess has invited you to the greenhouse. She wishes to continue the conversation we had earlier.”
“Greenhouse?”
The greenhouse, which was tended by the Crown Princess's late fiancé, was a place for intimate discussions.
“You must have already received a report from the royal doctor.”
Countess Qin nodded slightly in response.
“I have to hear what she has to say about Shivalin’s condition.”
Helen felt uncomfortable leaving Sheveline alone.
“Her Highness would also like to take you on a tour of the greenhouse to the Princess.”
"Let's go."
Countess Qin noticed this, so she spoke first, and Helen took Shivalin's hand and headed to the greenhouse.
The greenhouse was a new experience for Shevlin, who was busy admiring the different flowers.
Glizzie, who was smiling at Shevlin as she played with a butterfly, was the first to speak.
“I heard that Shivalin has selective mutism.”
"…Yes."
At Helen's confirmation, Glizzy rubbed her forehead.
"I heard that the royal doctor might be able to treat him. Everything should be fine."
It was necessary to know if her concern for Shevlin was real.
“I have something I want to ask.”
"What is it?"
“Do you care about Shivalin?”
Glizzy tilted her head, as if unsure why Helen would ask such a question.
“Of course. Shivalin may become heir to the throne after me.”
“Heiress to the throne...?”
Glizzy took a sip of her tea.
“I don't have children, do I?”
“Me? Instead of choosing someone from a side branch, it would be better to have a nephew who carries more of my blood.”
It was clear that this was not just empty talk.
Glizi was without a child for a long time, and after the death of her fiancé, she kept her concubines at a distance.
It seemed as if she valued Shevelin's presence more than she really cared for her.
‘Anyway, the person who tried to poison Shivalin is not the princess.’
Therefore, it was right to find a way to protect Shivalin.
Helen took a fork out of her sleeve and placed it in front of Glizzy.
“Sheveline was almost poisoned.”
"…What?"
Glizzy jumped in fright.
“That was… an oversight on my part. I was busy selecting servants to send to Largon Palace and I wasn’t careful enough.”
Realizing the seriousness of the situation, Glizzy sat down again and admitted her mistake.
“I'm afraid there will come a time when I can't protect...”
“My daughter.”
Helen's tears fell on her lap.
“…It's the first time I've seen you cry.”
“……”
“What do you want me to do?”
Helen caught herself before more tears fell.
“Please send me and Shevlin to another country...”
Glizzy tapped her fingers as she thought. Helen understood why she didn't agree immediately.
“I'm not asking for asylum. Just so that Shevlin grows up a little...!”
“You know the Senate will oppose this, right?”
Ever since Shevlin took the name Esther, the Senate has been watching her.
As Glezi said, they will undoubtedly derail any plans.
“There is only one way you can go to another country without making a fuss.”
"What is it?"
“Marriage again to the Grand Duke of Belzeit.”
“……”
“You know, Belzeit is up north.”
The suggestion was so unexpected that Helen could not respond immediately.
“Helen, be the Grand Duchess of Belzeit.”
It didn't seem like a joke. Glazier was not the type to joke.
“What benefit will this bring to Her Highness the Princess?”
Glizzy smiled, looking impressed.
“...You're really smart.”
“I know there is no reason for you to suggest this just for the sake of loneliness.”
There were probably many royals she wanted to say goodbye to.
By making her Grand Duchess of Belzeit.
“I will tell you as soon as you agree to marry again.”
Helen looked at Shivalin. How could she think of marrying again so soon after her divorce?
Seeing Shivalin running with a bright smile made it difficult for her to react.
“Please…give me some time to think. It’s still too early after my divorce for me to rush.”
"concept."
Glizzy answered calmly, as if she already knew what Helen's response would be.
With the cool breeze, Shivalin quickly fell asleep in her arms.
“Marriage again… to a man who doesn’t even know my real name.”
Helen was deep in thought, contemplating Glizzie's offer.
As she walked slowly down the hallway, she noticed a shadow. The Duke was Tisza.
“Greetings to Her Highness the Fourth Princess and Princess.”
“Duke Tisza.”
The Duke, whom she met in the corridor, welcomed her politely. He hides his dark intentions.
“Oh...my God, the princess is sleeping.”
Helen instinctively tightened her grip on Shivalin.
He may be the prime suspect in the attempted poisoning of Shivalin.
He is also the one who started the fire that claimed the lives of her mother and younger sister in the past.
“I heard the princess got the name ‘Esther’.”
"actually."
Helen felt uncomfortable when Duke Tisza mentioned Shevelline's name.
“There's no need to worry now. I was worried she wouldn't be officially installed, but now she's a full member of the royal family.”
He stroked his beard, pretending to be friendly. As Tessa said, Schieffelin has not been formally inaugurated.
The Emperor, who was supposed to be awarded the crown at the investiture ceremony, was bedridden.
He was making fun of the fact that having a baptismal name without an investiture was meaningless. Insulting Shevelin is unbearable.
“Duke Tessa, do you know the customs of…”
“Raccoon?”
“An old raccoon,” Duke Tessa replied, confused by the sudden change in subject.
This was Glizi's way of referring to Duke Tisza.
“Raccoons always lose their food because they wash it away with water. They repeat this foolish act over and over again.”
“Your Highness, what exactly are you trying to say?”
“I'm saying that if you, like the raccoon, end up starving to death, I might not be able to hold back my laughter at your funeral.”
Duke Tessa's face immediately frowned.
"So be careful. In every word and action."
“Your Highness, there is no specific order for people to die. Just because I have lived long doesn’t mean I will die first.”
Duchess Tessa answered calmly.
"There may be no arrangement, but if you commit a crime, you will pay for it. Even if the consequences don't come directly to you."
“…Don’t touch Her Highness the Queen Nigel!”
He shouted in extreme anger.
“She is… a pathetic person who has suffered all her life.”
The only person Duke Tessa really cared about was Queen Nigel, his only weakness.
“If you want to protect your daughter, don’t touch my daughter.”
Helen warned Duke Tessa, covering Cheveline's ears.
“Forgive me, but I don't understand what you mean.”
Duke Tessa smiled maliciously.
“I always hope the princess finds peace.”